Nets for lacrosse heads

ABSTRACT

A net for use with a lacrosse head frame includes a first member, a second member, and a third member, wherein the first member is connected to the second member to form a net portion, and the second member is connected to the third member to form a composite member. A net for use with a lacrosse head frame includes a net portion, and a plurality of thongs, wherein the net portion and the plurality of thongs comprise a same material. A net for use with a lacrosse head frame includes a net portion, and a thong next to the net portion, wherein the thong includes one or more strands knitted to form an elongate member.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to lacrosse equipment, and more specifically, tonets for lacrosse heads.

BACKGROUND

A lacrosse head generally includes a lacrosse head frame and a netconnected to a perimeter of the head frame to thereby form a pocket intowhich the ball is received and from which the ball is thrown. Typically,the lacrosse head frame includes a series of holes along its periphery,and a string passing through the holes is used to connect the net to thelacrosse head frame.

Sometimes, a lacrosse head further includes four or more adjustableleather thongs that extend between the scoop (top) and the base of thelacrosse head frame. The thongs are usually stiffer than the net,thereby allowing a player to better control and throw a ball. Existingleather thongs of lacrosse head are not water-resistant, and therefore,may retain moisture when come in contact with fluid, such as rain, or awet ball. As a result, the lacrosse head may become heavier, and theleather thongs may also become damaged due to moisture. In addition, theleather thongs can stretch and shrink unevenly when they dry after beingexposed to moisture. As a result, the leather thongs may need to beadjusted periodically to maintain a desired length of the thongs.Existing thongs of lacrosse head can also stretch due to repeated use ofthe lacrosse head. As such, the thongs may also need to be adjustedperiodically in order to maintain a desired shape of the net to whichthe thongs are attached.

SUMMARY

In accordance with some embodiments, a net for use with a lacrosse headframe includes a first member, a second member, and a third member,wherein the first member is connected to the second member to form a netportion, and the second member is connected to the third member to forma composite member.

In accordance with other embodiments, a net for use with a lacrosse headframe includes a first member, a second member, and a third member,wherein the first member is connected to the second member, the secondmember is connected to the third member, and a spacing betweensuccessive connection between the first and second members is greaterthan a spacing between successive connection between the second andthird members.

In accordance with other embodiments, a net for use with a lacrosse headframe includes a net portion, and a plurality of thongs, wherein the netportion and the plurality of thongs comprise a same material.

In accordance with other embodiments, a net for use with a lacrosse headframe includes a net portion, and a thong next to the net portion,wherein the thong includes one or more strands knitted to form anelongate member.

In accordance with other embodiments, a lacrosse stick includes alacrosse head frame, and a net portion secured to the lacrosse headframe, the net portion having a first member, a second member, and athird member, wherein the first member is connected to the secondmember, the second member is connected to the third member, and aspacing between successive connection between the first and secondmembers is greater than a spacing between successive connection betweenthe second and third members.

Other aspects and features of the invention will be evident from readingthe following description of the embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate the design and utility of embodiments, in whichsimilar elements are referred to by common reference numerals. In orderto better appreciate how advantages and objects of the embodiments areobtained, a more particular description of the embodiments will beillustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a lacrosse stick having a lacrossehead frame and a lacrosse net in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of a portion of the net of FIG. 1 inaccordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates a member of the net of FIG. 2 in accordance with someembodiments;

FIG. 4A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a strand of the member ofFIG. 3 in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 4B illustrates a cross-sectional view of a strand of the member ofFIG. 3 in accordance with other embodiments;

FIG. 5A-5C illustrate a method of constructing at least a portion of thenet of FIG. 2 in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of an edge portion of the net of FIG. 1in accordance with some embodiments;

FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate a method of constructing at least a portion ofthe net of FIG. 2 in accordance with other embodiments;

FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of a portion of the net of FIG. 1 inaccordance with other embodiments;

FIG. 9 illustrates a member that is bent to form a plurality ofcomponents for a net in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 10 illustrates a variation of the lacrosse head frame of FIG. 1,particularly showing the lacrosse head frame having a pocket member; and

FIG. 11 illustrates a net in accordance with other embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Various embodiments are described hereinafter with reference to thefigures. It should be noted that the figures are not drawn to scale andelements of similar structures or functions are represented by likereference numerals throughout the figures. It should also be noted thatthe figures are only intended to facilitate the description of specificembodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of theinvention or as a limitation on the scope of the invention. In addition,an aspect described in conjunction with a particular embodiment is notnecessarily limited to that embodiment and can be practiced in any otherembodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates a lacrosse stick 10 in accordance with someembodiments. The lacrosse stick 10 includes a head frame 12, a shaft 14connected to the head frame 12, and a net 16. The head frame 12 includesa top portion (scoop) 18, side walls 20, 22, a bottom portion (ballstop) 24, which are integrally formed together (e.g., by a traditionalmolding technique). In the illustrated embodiments, the head frame 12also includes a socket 26, which allows the shaft 14 to be fittedtherein. It should be noted that the head frame 12 should not be limitedto the shape and configuration illustrated in the figure, and that thehead frame 12 can have other shapes and configurations in otherembodiments. For example, in other embodiments, the head frame 12 canfurther include a pocket member (FIG. 10) that is secured to the topportion 18 of the head frame 12. Lacrosse heads having pocket membershave been described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,506,132. Also, in otherembodiments, the head frame 12 can further include one or more inserts(not shown) that are secured to the perimeter of the head frame 12.

The net 16 includes a plurality of thongs 28 and a plurality of netportions 30 connected to the thongs 28. As used in this specification,the term “thong” refers to a component of the net 16 that is stifferthan the net portion 30, or that has a cross-sectional dimension that islarger than a member forming the net portion 30. In the illustratedembodiments, the net 16 has four thongs 28. In other embodiments, thenet 16 can have less than four thongs 28 or more than four thongs 28.Also, in other embodiments, instead of, or in addition to, having thongs28 that extend between the top portion 18 and the bottom portion 24 ofthe lacrosse head frame 12, the net 16 can have thongs 28 that extendbetween the side walls 20, 22 of the lacrosse head frame 12.

FIG. 2 illustrates a portion of the net 16 of FIG. 1 in accordance withsome embodiments. The net portion 30 of the net 16 includes a pluralityof elongate members 54 that are connected to each other to form the netportion 30. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A, each of the members 54 includesa strand 56 that is made from one or more filaments 58. The strand 56 isknitted to form the member 54. In other embodiments, instead of knittingone strand 56 to form the member 54, a plurality of strands 56 can beused (e.g., knitted or interwoven) to form the member 54. In theillustrated embodiments, the filaments 58 are made from a syntheticmaterial, such as Nylon, a polymer, synthetic guts, polyester, aramide,polyethylene, and the like.

The strand 56 is not limited to the above described configurations, andcan have other configurations in other embodiments. For example, inother embodiments, each of the strands 56 includes a core 60 and anouter layer 62 surrounding the core 60 (FIG. 4B). The core 60 is madefrom one or more filaments 58. The outer layer 62 is made from apolyurethane elastomer. Using such material for the outer layer 62 isadvantageous in that it provides water-resistance for the strand 56(which in turn, prevents the net 16 from stretching or shrinking), andallows the strand 56 to better resist abrasion due to normal use of thenet 16. Constructing the outer layer 62 using a polyurethane elastomeralso provides more rigidity for the strand 56, thereby allowing the net16 formed therefrom to have a better shape-retention characteristic. Theincreased hardness of the net 16 also allows a player to better controla lacrosse ball while running and throwing the ball. Furthermore, theouter layer 62 provides higher frictional contact with a lacrosse ball(when compared with traditional lacrosse nets). Such feature allows thenet 16 to provide more spinning power as the net 16 is used to throw alacrosse ball. In other embodiments, the outer layer 62 can be made fromother materials, such as polyester, vinyl, polyvinylidene fluoride,polypropylene, EVA, ionomer, thermoplastic urethane, polyamide, etc. Itshould be noted that the material(s) used to construct the outer layer62 should not be limited to the examples mentioned previously, and thatother materials may also be used to construct the outer layer 62 inother embodiments. In addition, the material(s) used to construct theouter layer 62 needs not have any or all of theadvantageous/characteristics discussed previously. In the illustratedembodiments, the outer layer 62 has a cross-sectional thickness that isbetween 0.005 inch and 0.01 inch. In other embodiments, the outer layer62 can have other cross-sectional thicknesses (e.g., less than 0.005inch or more than 0.01 inch).

It should be noted that the strands 56 of the net 16 should not belimited to the configuration illustrated previously, and that thestrands 56 can have different configurations in other embodiments. Forexample, in alternative embodiments, instead of having the core 60 andthe outer layer 62, the strand 56 can further include an intermediatelayer (not shown) disposed between the core 60 and the outer layer 62.Any of the materials discussed with reference to the outer layer 62 canalso be used to construct the intermediate layer. In other embodiments,instead of having a single intermediate layer, the strand 56 can includea plurality of intermediate layers disposed between the core 60 and theouter layer 62. Sporting nets having outer layers and intermediatelayer(s) have been described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______,entitled “Nets for sporting equipment.”

In the illustrated embodiments, the members 54 are tied together (e.g.via a stitch or a strand) at junction regions 60 to thereby allow aplurality of openings 62 be formed for the net 16. In other embodiments,instead of connecting the members 54 after they are formed, the members54 may be formed by the strands 56 in such a manner that allows themembers 54 to be “connected” as they are formed. For example, the netportion 30 may be formed by knitting strand(s) 56 to form a net patternhaving the openings 62. It should be noted that the configuration of thenet portion 30 should not be limited to that shown in the figure, andthat the net portion 30 can have other configurations in otherembodiments. For example, in other embodiments, the woven pattern of thestrand 56 can be different from that shown in FIG. 3. In addition, inother embodiments, instead of connecting adjacent members 54 to form thenet portion 30, members 54 can be crisscrossed and be connected (e.g.,via a stitch or an adhesive) at intersection points to form the netportion 30. Further, in other embodiments, instead of the hexagonalshape shown in the figure, the net openings 62 can have differentshapes. For examples, the net openings 62 can each have a rectangularshape, a pentagon shape, a diamond shape, a triangular shape, an ovalshape, or a customized shape.

Returning to FIG. 2, each of the thongs 28 of the net 16 is formed byconnecting two members 64 together in a side-by-side configuration.Alternatively, more than two members 64 can be used to form each of thethongs 28. Connecting a plurality of members 64 in a side-by-sideconfiguration to form the thong 28 is advantageous in that it providesmore contact surface area between the thong 28 and a lacrosse ball,thereby allowing the net 16 to more efficiently spin the ball as theball is thrown from the net 16. Alternatively, instead of a side-by-sideconfiguration, the members 64 can be connected in other configurations,such as in a top-and-bottom configuration. Also, in the illustratedembodiments, the members 64 are made from the same material as that ofmember 54, and have the same configuration as that of members 54. Suchhas the benefit of reducing manufacturing costs associated with usingdifferent materials to construct the thongs 28 and the net portion 30.In some embodiments, the thongs 28 are made from strands having the sameconfiguration as the strands 56 used to make the net portion 30. Forexample, the strands of the thongs 28 can include the outer layers 62,which provide water-resistance and abrasion-resistance for the thongs28. Alternatively, the members 64 can be made from a different material,and/or can have a different configuration, than that of members 54. Forexample, in other embodiments, the members 64 can be made from arelatively stiffer material than that of the members 54. Also, in otherembodiments, the number of strands 56 making up the member 64 can bedifferent from that of the member 54. In further embodiments, themembers 64 can have a knitted or woven pattern that is different fromthat of the members 54. In yet further embodiments, the members 64 canhave a non-knitted configuration.

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate a method of constructing the net 16 of FIG. 1 inaccordance with some embodiments. First, a plurality of elongate members54, 64 are provided. As shown in FIG. 5A, six elongate members 54 a-54 fand four elongate members 64 a-64 d are provided. In other embodiments,the numbers of the members 54 being provided can be different from six,and the numbers of the members 64 being provided can be different fromfour.

Next, the members 64 a, 64 b are connected to each other to form a firstthong 28 a, and the members 64 c, 64 d are connected to each other toform a second thong 28 b (FIG. 5B). In the illustrated embodiments, themembers 64 (e.g., 64 a, 64 b) are connected using one or more stitches.Alternatively, the members 64 can be connected using an adhesive, or thelike. The members 64 can be secured to each other at intermittentpoints/region along the length of one of the members 64, oralternatively, be secured to each other continuously along a majority ofthe length of the members 64. Also, instead of securing the members 64in a side-by-side manner as that shown in the figure, in otherembodiments, the members 64 a, 64 b can be secured to each other, andthe members 64 c, 64 d can be secured to each other in otherconfigurations, such as a top-and-bottom configuration. In addition, inother embodiments, instead of using two adjacent members 64 to form eachthong 28, more than two adjacent members 64 can be used to form eachthong 28. For example, one or more additional members 64 can be provided(e.g., placed between the members 54 a, 54 e), and are secured togetherwith the members 64 a, 64 b to form the thong 28 a. Although only twothongs 28 a, 28 b are shown in the figure, in other embodiments, the net16 can include one or more additional thongs formed by additionalmembers 64. For example, the net 16 can include four thongs 28, such asthose shown in FIG. 1.

Next, the members 54 are used to form a plurality of net portions 30. Inparticular, the four members 54 a-54 d between the members 64 b, 64 care connected to each other at points/regions 60 a-60 d to form a firstnet portion 30 a, which is then secured to the thongs 28 a, 28 b atpoints/regions 80 a-80 d. A second net portion 30 b is formed byconnecting the member 54 e to the member 64 a at points/regions 80 e, 80f along the member 64 a. Also, a third net portion 30 c is formed byconnecting the member 54 f to the member 64 d at points/regions 80 g, 80h along the member 64 d. In other embodiments, instead of using fourmembers 54 to form the first net region 30 a, a different number ofmembers 54 can be used. For example, in other embodiments, two members54 can be placed between the members 64 b, 64 c to form the first netregion 30 a. Also, in other embodiments, one or more additional members54 can be secured to the member 54 e to create a larger second netportion 30 b. Similarly, in other embodiments, one or more additionalmembers 54 can be secured to the member 54 f to create a larger thirdnet portion 30 c. As shown in the figure, securing the thongs 28 and thenet portions 30 in a side-by-side configuration is advantageous in thatthe surfaces of the respective thongs 28 can be used for contacting aball without being interrupted by the net portions 30.

In the above embodiments, each of the thongs 28 a, 28 b is locatedbetween net portions 30. In alternative embodiments, either or both ofthe thongs 28 a, 28 b can be used to form edge(s) of the net 16 (FIG.6). For example, in some embodiments, the member 54 e is not provided,and the net 16 does not include the net portion 30 b. In such cases, thefirst thong 28 a forms part of an edge of the net 16. Similarly, inother embodiments, the member 54 f is not provided, and the net 16 doesnot include the net portion 30 c. In such cases, the second thong 28 bforms part of an edge of the net 16. In some embodiments, the net 16only includes thong(s) at edge(s) of the net 16, and does not includethongs located at intermediate positions within the net 16.

It should be noted that the order in constructing the net 16 should notbe limited to the example discussed previously. For example, in otherembodiments, the thongs 28 can be constructed after the net portions 30is formed. In other embodiments, the thongs 28 and the net portions 30can be constructed simultaneously. Also, in other embodiments, the net16 can be formed by connecting the members 54, 64 sequentially. Forexample, in some embodiments, the members 54, 64 are connected in theorder shown in FIG. 5A. In such cases, the members 54 e and 64 a isconnected first to form a composite structure, and then the member 64 bis connected to the composite structure. In a similar manner, theremaining members 54 a-54 d, 64 c, 64 d, and 54 f are sequentially addedto the composite structure in the order shown in FIG. 5A until the net16 is formed. In further embodiments, instead of forming the first netportion 30 a before it is connected to the members 64 b, 64 c, themember 54 a can first be connected to the member 64 b, and the member 54d can first be connected to the member 64 c. In such cases, the members54 b, 54 c can then be inserted between the members 54 a, 54 d to formthe first net portion 30 a.

FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate a method of constructing the net 16 in accordancewith other embodiments. As shown in FIG. 7A, the elongate members 64a-64 d and the elongate members 54 a-54 d are positioned in aside-by-side configuration. Next, as shown in FIG. 7B, a firstconnection 90 a is used to secure the members 64 a, 64 b to each other,and a second connection 90 b is used to secure the members 64 c, 64 d toeach other. Also, a plurality of connections 92 are made to secure themembers 54 to each other, and to secure members 54 a, 54 d to members 64b, 64 c, respectively. The connections 90, 92 can be implemented using astitch, an adhesive, and the like. The connected members 64 a-d, 54 a-dform an un-stretched net structure 94.

Next, the un-stretched net structure 94 is stretched in the directionsshown by arrows 96, 98 to form the net 16 (FIG. 7C). In the illustratedembodiments, a spacing between successive connecting points between themember 64 b and the member 54 a is more than a spacing betweensuccessive connecting points between the member 64 b and the member 64a. Such configuration allows the members 64 a, 64 b to form the firstthong 28 a, and allows the members 64 b and 54 a to form a net portion.Similarly, a spacing between successive connecting points between themember 64 c and the member 54 d is more than a spacing betweensuccessive connecting points between the member 64 c and the member 64d. Such configuration allows the members 64 c, 64 d to form the secondthong 28 b, and allows the members 64 c and 54 d to form a net portion.

It should be noted that the method of constructing the net 16 should notbe limited to the examples illustrated previously, and that othertechniques can be used to construct the net 16 in other embodiments. Forexample, in other embodiments, instead of having net portion(s) 30located between the thongs 28 in a side-by-side manner, the net portion30 can be located between portions of a thong 28 in a top-and-bottommanner. FIG. 8 illustrates a portion of the net 16 of FIG. 1 constructedin accordance with other embodiments. As shown in the figure, the netportion 30 is first constructed as a single unit, and then at least aportion of each of the thongs 28 a, 28 b is placed over the net portion30 and is secured to the net portion 30 (e.g., via a stitch, anadhesive, etc.). For example, the thong 28 a can have a front portionand a back portion. In such cases, the net portion 30 is placed betweenthe front and back portions of the thong 28 a. Alternatively, thecomplete thong 28 a can be secured to a surface (e.g., a front surfaceagainst which a ball is to be received, or a rear surface) of the netportion 30. Securing the thongs 28 on a front surface of the net portion30 is advantageous in that the surfaces of the respective thongs 28 canbe used for contacting a ball without being interrupted by the netportion 30.

After the net 16 has been constructed, the net 16 can be secured to thelacrosse head frame 12 via a string 66 (shown in FIG. 1). In otherembodiments, connectors such as snaps, buttons, clips, or otherconnection devices known in the art of lacrosse head construction, maybe used to secure the net 16 to the lacrosse head frame 12. In furtherembodiments, the net 16 can be secured directly to the head frame 12(e.g., by tying the members 54, some of the strands 56 of the members54, the thongs 28, or some of the members 64 of the thongs 28, directlyto the head frame 12).

In the above embodiments, the members 54 a-54 f and the members 64 a-64d are illustrated as separate components. However, in other embodiments,one or more of the members 54 can be a single component, and one or moreof the members 64 can be a single component. FIG. 9 illustrates a member100 that is used to form the members 54 a-d and the members 64 a-d. Themember 100 is bent in a S-configuration such that portions (segments) ofthe member 100 is adjacent other portions of the member 100 in aside-by-side configuration. After the member 100 is bent, theconnections 90, 92 can then be applied to the bent member 100 in asimilar fashion as that shown in FIG. 7B, thereby creating the netstructure 94. In some embodiments, the member 100 is bent to provide allof the members 54, 64 before the connections 90, 92 are made.Alternatively, the connections 90 or 92 are made after each portion ofthe member 100 has been bent. For example, the member 100 can first bebent to place members 64 a, 64 b in a side-by-side manner, and then theconnection 90 a is made to connect the members 64 a, 64 b. After that,the member 100 is bent again to place the member 54 a next to the member64 b, and the connection 92 a, 92 b are made to connect the members 64b, 54 a. The process continues until all portions of the member 100 aredesirably connected. In some embodiments, after the net 16 is formed, afirst cut 102, and a second cut 104 can be made to separate the member100 into individual components. In other embodiments, some or all of themembers 54, 64 can be left connected to each other at the ends of thenet 16.

In the above embodiments, the net 16 is sized to span between the topportion 18 and the bottom portion 24 of the lacrosse head frame 12.However, the scope of the invention should not be so limited. In otherembodiments, the lacrosse head frame 12 can further include a pocketmember 110 that is secured to the top portion 18 of the lacrosse headframe 12 (FIG. 10). The pocket member 110 has a partial outline shapethat conforms to the inside of head frame scoop 18 and the portions ofthe sidewalls 20 and 22 proximate the scoop 18. The pocket member 110may be permanently or removably secured to the lacrosse head frame 12.In such cases, the net 16 is sized to span between the pocket member 110and the base portion 24 of the lacrosse head frame 12. In theillustrated embodiments, the pocket member 110 includes a plurality ofholes 112 for allowing the net 16 to be connected to the pocket member110. For example, portion(s) of the net 16 may be tied directly to theholes 112. Alternatively, portion(s) of the net 16 may be secured to theholes 112 indirectly using a string/lace or connector(s). In someembodiments, the thongs of the net 16 can be sized to span between thetop portion 18 and the bottom portion 24 of the lacrosse head frame 12,while the net portion of the net 16 is sized to span between the pocketmember 110 and the bottom portion 24. In such cases, the thongs extendspass the pocket member 110 (either through a front side of the pocketmember 110 to which a ball makes contact, or an opposite side of thepocket member 110) to reach the top portion 18.

In the above embodiments, the thong 28 is described as a compositemember formed by two or more members 64. Alternatively, instead of athong, the composite member formed by the members 64 can be used to forma net portion. FIG. 11 illustrates a portion of a net 200 in accordancewith other embodiments. The net 200 includes a plurality of elongatemembers 202 a-202 l that are connected in a side-by-side configuration,and a plurality of openings 206. Each of the members 202 can be, forexample, the member 54 as described previously. In the illustratedembodiments, the members 202 have the same configuration (e.g., size,member composition, etc.). Alternatively, different group of the members202 can have different configurations. For example, in some embodiments,the members 202 a, 202 b, 202 k, and 202 l have a first configuration,and the members 202 c-202 j have a second configuration that isdifferent from the first configuration.

In the illustrated embodiments, the members 202 a, 202 b are connectedat regions 208 a, 208 b to form a first net portion 204 a, and themembers 202 k, 202 l are connected at regions 208 c, 208 d to form asecond net portion 204 b. The members 202 c-202 j are connected to forma third net portion 204 c. However, unlike the first and the second netportions 204 a, 204 b, the third net portion 204 c is formed bycomposite members 210 a-210 d that are themselves formed by the members202 c-202 j. In the illustrated embodiments, each of the compositemembers 210 is formed by connecting two members 202 via one or moreconnections 212. For example, stitch(es), an adhesive, and the like canbe used to connect the pair of members 202 for each composite member210, either continuously or intermittently along the length of thecomposite member 210. In other embodiments, instead of using two members202 to form each composite member 210, more than two members 202 can beused to form each composite member 210. After the composite members 210are formed, the composite members 210 are then connected at regions 214to form the third net portion 204 c. The third net portion 204 c is thensecured to the first net portion 204 a at regions 216 a and 216 b, andto the second net portion 204 b at regions 216 c and 216 d. It should benoted that the order in constructing the net 200 should not be limitedto the above example, and that any of the methods discussed previouslycan be similarly used to construct the net 200. For example, in someembodiments, the members 202 a-202 l are connected sequentially in theorder shown in FIG. 11 to form the net 200.

Although the net 200 is described as having three net portions 204 a-204c, it should be noted that the term “net portion” should not be limitedto such configuration. As used in this specification, the term “netportion” refers to any portion of a net, that may be formed using asingle linear member or a plurality of linear members. For example, thenet 200 of FIG. 10 can be described as having a net portion thatincludes members 202 b, 202 c, or a net portion that includes members202 b-202 d, or a net portion that includes members 202 b-202 e, etc.

As illustrated in the embodiments, constructing the net 200 using thecomposite members 210 is advantageous in that it allows the net 200 tohave different portions with different characteristics. In the aboveembodiments, the third net portion 204 c is relatively stiffer than thefirst and the second net portions 204 a, 204 b because the third netportion 204 c is made from the composite members 210.

In other embodiments, the net 200 can have other configurations. Forexample, in alternative embodiments, the first net portion 204 a canhave more or less than two members 202. Also, in other embodiments, thethird net portion 204 c can have more or less than eight members 202,and/or more or less than four composite members 210. In furtherembodiments, the net 200 can further include one or more thongs (e.g.,thongs 28) secured between the net portions 204.

In any of the embodiments described herein, different net portions ofthe net 16 or 200 can be made from different materials such that the net16 or 200 can have different characteristics at different portions ofthe net 16 or 200. For example, in some embodiments, the sides/perimeterof the net 16 or 200 can be made from a material that is softer orstiffer than the material of a mid-portion.

Although particular embodiments have been shown and described, it willbe understood that it is not intended to limit the present inventions,and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changesand modifications may be made. The specification and drawings are,accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictivesense.

1. A net for use with a lacrosse head frame, comprising: a first member;a second member; and a third member; wherein the first member isconnected to the second member to form a net portion, and the secondmember is connected to the third member to form a composite member. 2.The net of claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third member are madefrom a same material.
 3. The net of claim 1, wherein the first member isconnected to the second member at intermittent points along respectivelengths of the first and second members.
 4. The net of claim 1, whereinthe second member is connected to the third member in continuously alongsubstantial portions of respective lengths of the second and the thirdmembers.
 5. The net of claim 1, wherein a spacing between successiveconnection between the first and second members is greater than aspacing between successive connection between the second and thirdmembers.
 6. The net of claim 1, wherein the first member and the secondmember comprise respective segments of a single linear member.
 7. Thenet of claim 1, wherein the second member and the third member compriserespective segments of a single linear member.
 8. The net of claim 1,wherein the first member includes a plurality of strands, one of theplurality of strands having a core and an outer layer.
 9. The net ofclaim 1, wherein the composite member comprises a side of the net. 10.The net of claim 1, wherein the composite member extends between edgesof the net.
 11. The net of claim 1, wherein the composite membercomprises a portion of a thong.
 12. A net for use with a lacrosse headframe, comprising: a first member; a second member; and a third member;wherein the first member is connected to the second member, the secondmember is connected to the third member, and a spacing betweensuccessive connection between the first and second members is greaterthan a spacing between successive connection between the second andthird members.
 13. The net of claim 12, wherein the first, second, andthird member are made from a same material.
 14. The net of claim 12,wherein the second member is connected to the third member continuouslyalong substantial portions of respective lengths of the second and thirdmembers.
 15. The net of claim 12, wherein the first member includes aplurality of strands, one of the plurality of strands having a core andan outer layer.
 16. The net of claim 12, wherein the second and thethird members together form a composite member that is a part of a netportion.
 17. The net of claim 12, wherein the second and the thirdmembers together form a thong.
 18. A net for use with a lacrosse headframe, comprising: a net portion; and a plurality of thongs; wherein thenet portion and the plurality of thongs comprise a same material. 19.The net of claim 18, wherein each of the plurality of thongs includesone or more strands knitted to form an elongate member.
 20. The net ofclaim 18, wherein the net portion or the plurality of thongs include anouter layer.
 21. The net of claim 18, wherein one of the plurality ofthongs has a surface for contacting a ball, the surface beinguninterrupted by the net portion.
 22. A net for use with a lacrosse headframe, comprising: a net portion; and a thong next to the net portion;wherein the thong includes one or more strands knitted to form anelongate member.
 23. The net of claim 22, wherein the one or morestrands is made from a material selected from the group consisting ofNylon, a polymer, synthetic guts, polyester, aramide, and polyethylene.24. The net of claim 22, wherein the net portion or the thong include anouter layer.
 25. The net of claim 22, wherein the thong has a surfacefor contacting a ball, the surface being uninterrupted by the netportion.
 26. A lacrosse stick, comprising: a lacrosse head frame; and anet portion secured to the lacrosse head frame, the net portion having afirst member, a second member, and a third member; wherein the firstmember is connected to the second member, the second member is connectedto the third member, and a spacing between successive connection betweenthe first and second members is greater than a spacing betweensuccessive connection between the second and third members.
 27. Thelacrosse stick of claim 26, wherein the first, second, and third memberhave a same material.
 28. The lacrosse stick of claim 26, wherein thesecond member is connected to the third member continuously alongsubstantial portions of respective lengths of the second and thirdmembers.
 29. The lacrosse stick of claim 26, wherein the first memberincludes a plurality of strands, one of the plurality of strands havinga core and an outer layer.
 30. The lacrosse stick of claim 26, whereinthe net portion extends between a top portion and a bottom portion ofthe lacrosse head.
 31. The lacrosse stick of claim 26, furthercomprising a pocket member secured to the lacrosse head frame, whereinthe net portion extends between the pocket member and a bottom portionof the lacrosse head frame.
 32. The lacrosse stick of claim 26, whereinthe second and the third members together form a composite member thatis a part of a net portion.
 33. The lacrosse stick of claim 26, whereinthe second and the third members together form a thong.